Meet the core NV PAL team!
From top left to bottom right: Jessica Estrada; Lisa Durette, MD; Steve Alcazar, MD; Sydney Spanfelner; Karla Sanchez de la Cruz; Alba Perez; Natasha Mosby, LCSW
Program Leadership:
Lisa Durette, MD, DFAPA, DFAACAP
Program Leader
Dr. Lisa Durette is an associate professor and Department Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. She has served as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Director since 2013. Her research interests include trauma, particularly in foster care youth; child and teen mental health; and addiction treatment.
Durette is board-certified in both general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, as well as in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. She has been awarded Distinguished Fellow distinction by both the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Durette is also a member of the American College of Psychiatrists. She serves as the Nevada delegate to the AACAP assembly, is a member of the organization's Adoption and Foster Care Committee, Collaborative and Integrative Care Committee, and co-chair's AACAP's Political Action Committee. An advocate of children’s mental health, Durette was appointed to the Governor’s Commission of Behavioral Health, which she has served since 2016.
In addition to teaching psychiatry trainees and medical students, the former U.S. Air Force Reserves flight surgeon also routinely provides community presentations aimed at educating the public on common psychiatric disorders seen in youth and removing the stigma often attached to psychiatric illnesses.
Dr. Durette serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect. She is also the lead author on several studies and has co-presented research at national AACAP meetings. These publications can be found on NV PAL's Publications & Press page.
Natasha Mosby, LCSW, PhD Candidate
Clinical Program Director
A licensed clinical social worker in Nevada, Natasha brings more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field, working in community agencies, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, non-profit agencies, and private practice settings. She has served on multiple community and university committees, served as the Chair of Membership for the National Association of Social Workers, Nevada Chapter Board of Directors and currently serving a second appointed term as a member of the Nevada Commission on Behavioral Health.
She received a master’s degree in social work from Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, La., and her bachelor’s degree in sociology and an associate degree in criminal justice from Southern University and A&M College (SUBR) in Baton Rouge, La. She is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in health psychology focusing on the effectiveness of integrated care models to optimize care outcomes.
Joining UNLV in 2014, Natasha served as the Program Coordinator of the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program, a Federal HRSA Grant awarded to the School of Social Work MSW program. She was responsible for the implementation and oversight of the grant as well as developing and enhancing clinical courses and trainings for students and community partners. The program was successful and added to the State’s workforce demand training 108 MSW BHWET grant recipients within 3 years with 85% of the graduates becoming LCSW’s in the State of Nevada.
In 2022, Special Olympics Nevada appointed Natasha as their Clinical Consultant to develop and oversee their K-12 Mindset Matters Mental Wellness Program, which provides mental health and stress management techniques to students in Clark and Washoe County School Districts.
Natasha Mosby is excited to join Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health as the Clinical Program Director of NV PAL.
Alba Perez
Lead Care Coordinator
Alba has dedicated 30 years to all aspects of child development and parent education ranging from pregnancy to adolescence. After Graduating with a B.A in Speech Therapy in 1986 in her home country Venezuela, she focused on child language development, specializing in children with different types of disabilities.
Over the past two decades, Alba worked for Chicanos Por la Causa (CPLC) in different community programs. In 2001 She began with “Early Head-Start" where she created parenting classes for at-risk families and families sent to the program by family courts or Child Protective Services (CPS). In following, Alba was given the opportunity to thrive in a new position as Family Support Specialist and Parenting Educator for CPLC Arizona in 2009. During this period, she completed the Triple P program (Positive Parenting Program Levels 1-4) a research and evidenced-based parenting curriculum that promotes positive discipline and healthy parent-child relationships. Subsequently, she earned the “Parents as Teachers” certificate to further aid parents in generating skills to increase the development of their children. Deciding after 8 years of commitment, in 2017 Alba urged to harness yet another position with CPLC, as “Parent Educator” for Parenting Nevada. In expansion to her experience and knowledge Alba completed the Department of Family Services (DFS) Comprehensive Safety Manager Training; starting a partnership with Foster Kinship. Within this role, she tended to the foster parent population and assisted parents who are battling with substance abuse.
Now with NVPAL, Alba's heart and passion lies in serving the Las Vegas "At-Risk" population connecting them to resources needed to help them thrive in their perspective areas. Alba loves her community and is continuously inspired by the individuals she serves. Alba's driving force and passion has echoed throughout the Valley, and serves as a large footprint for supportive services in the Las Vegas Community.
Tara Raines, Ph.D.
ECHO Project Manager
Dr. Raines is the ECHO Project Manager. She is a former Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training for the Child, Family, and School Psychology program at University of Denver and Assistant professor in the UNLV school psychology program. Dr. Raines received an undergraduate and M.A. degree in Special Education from Florida State University, a subsequent M.A. and specialist degree in School Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, and she ultimately obtained her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Georgia State University. As a researcher Dr. Raines worked for 6 years on an Institute of Education Sciences grant focusing on establishing the validity and utility of universal screening for behavioral and emotional risk within the Los Angeles Unified School District and multiple school districts in Georgia. She investigates early identification of behavioral and emotional disorders, subsequent interventions and outcomes across different groups. Specifically, as early identification of risk relates to the carceral continuum or school-based pathways to incarceration. Dr. Raines has partnered with the City of Las Vegas on their implementation of My Brother’s Keeper and ReInvent Schools. She is leading the program evaluation and providing technical assistance for participating schools.
In addition to her passion for research, Dr. Raines is also dedicated to the improvement of cultural humility and increase of bilingual practitioners in the fields of mental health and education. In 2008, she developed a Spanish language immersion program specifically for mental health and education professionals, which she hosts annually in Quito, Ecuador. This program offers the opportunity for participants to expand their knowledge of Latin American culture and systems while increasing Spanish language proficiency.
Dr. Raines has received a presidential award from the National Association of School Psychologists for leading a task force to better understand the role and impact of police in schools. She was awarded a presidential citation from Division 16 of the American Psychological Association for her work. In 2023, Dr. Raines co-authored an article entitled “Integrating Intersectionality, Social Determinants of Health, and Healing: A New Training Framework for School-Based Mental Health” that was given honorable mention for article of the year by School Psychology Review, the flagship publication for the field of school psychology. Most recently, her work in children’s mental health was acknowledged by Mayor Goodman of Las Vegas, and Dr. Raines was designated citizen of the month for October 2024 with the Children’s Advocacy Alliance.
Dr. Raines presents nationally on the fundamentals of cultural humility, promoting healing-centered approaches to school safety, and supporting school partnerships with law enforcement agencies.
Nathan Rudig
Data Manager
Nathan started his education in his hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska, and finished his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at UNLV. He’s always been fascinated by how people learn mathematics and use it to enrich their lives and careers. It was this fascination that led Nathan to complete a UNLV Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology while researching attitudes towards mathematics and their effects on learning. Today, Nathan helps the NV PAL team by using data analysis to assure quality care and illuminate treatment outcomes. Nathan is passionate about solving problems and finding the answers to any question using mathematics.
Care Coordinators:
Jessica Estrada
Jessica Estrada has over 5 years of direct supportive service experience as a Care Coordinator. She is currently studying Psychology with an emphasis on children and families. Jessica is a parent to two young boys who are "the backbone and drive that propels me forward as I continue devoting myself to our community." As a NV PAL line Care Coordinator, Jessica offers a wealth of knowledge to bridge the gap between service and the community, and plays a pivotal role in the PAL program’s success serving Nevada's children’s mental health needs.
Karla Tanchez De La Cruz
Karla Tanchez is a first-generation Indigenous woman and a dedicated Care Coordinator at the NV Pediatric Access Line, where she plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between mental health services and areas experiencing health professional shortages. With a strong foundation in case management, Karla has provided comprehensive support to individuals with traumatic brain injuries, working in both outpatient neurological rehabilitation centers and inpatient assisted living facilities.
Karla earned an associate degree in psychology from the College of Southern Nevada and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Latin American Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Throughout her academic journey, she has gained diverse experience as an early outreach coordinator, a peer mentor for the psychology department, and a research assistant for the Social Development Research Lab. After graduation, she plans to become a licensed clinical social worker, furthering her dedication to community service and providing essential services to Spanish-speaking populations.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Karla is passionate about volunteering with seniors. She also enjoys running, reading, painting, reviewing music, and playing instruments.
Sydney Spanfelner
Sydney received her B.A. in Animal-Assisted Therapeutic Recreation from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Her undergraduate degree is an anthropological perspective on the relationships between humans and animals, as well as psychology and public health-related considerations on how we can use this bond to improve our mental health and overall wellbeing modernly.
Upon graduation, Sydney led a therapeutic horsemanship program in Freeport, Florida where she provided people with disabilities with equine sessions based on reflection, emotion education, and behavior intervention. She is currently in a Master's Degree of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, hoping to specialize in trauma with adults and hardship surrounding diagnosis acceptance in the disability community. She looks forward to combining her undergraduate and graduate degrees and utilizing therapy animals in her future counseling sessions. Sydney's passion for accessibility and advocacy brought her to the NV PAL team as a Care Coordinator.
Medical Team:
Steve Alcazar, MD
Steve Alcazar, MD, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Having completed his undergraduate studies in cell and molecular biology at UNLV, Dr. Alcazar earned his medical degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019. He then completed both his residency in general psychiatry and his fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine.
Board-certified in general psychiatry, Dr. Alcazar is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, along with being a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is particularly interested in intellectual developmental disorders, specifically diagnosing and treating symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Dr. Alcazar is also bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.
Lauren Davidson, MD
Dr. Davidson completed her undergraduate degree at UC Irvine where she majored in Psychology and Social Behavior with a minor in Biology. She then went to the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. She graduated from UNLV’s general psychiatry residency program and is currently finishing her training at UNLV for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Crystal Oden, MD
Crystal received her undergraduate degree at UNLV with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She attended Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV for medical school. Dr. Oden is currently a 3rd year general psychiatry resident at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. She will continue on at UNLV for her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training next year.
Fernando Mendez, MD
Fernando Mendez, MD, is an assistant professor in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Board-certified in both psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Mendez specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with neurodevelopmental and mood disorders. He is the founder and medical director of Red Rock Neuropsychiatry, where he provides evidence-based and innovative care for conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Dr. Mendez is trained in both psychopharmacology and neuromodulation, offering advanced interventions including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression and other conditions. His clinical approach integrates neuroscience, developmental understanding, and compassionate care to help patients achieve meaningful improvement in daily functioning and quality of life.